Mark Sanford and cheating

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Permalink Reply by Zach Bacik on June 25, 2009 at 12:29pm

I think it's worse for the perception of Republicans than it is for men. The stereotype of men being sex-crazed dogs is one that's been around for a very long time and is going nowhere. Though we hold ourselves to a higher standard, and I'm willing to bet that the majority of men are loyal to one woman (whether they want to be or not), there are too many guys out there that can't keep their hands to themselves. Yet, the Republican Party has held up itself as the moral party, and there have been numerous scandals as of late.

Basically, it looks bad for everyone, but for men, it's just another one of many incidents.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Kimber on June 25, 2009 at 2:17pm

"The public cannot be too curious concerning the characters of public men." - Samuel Adams, Letter to James Warren, November 4, 1775

And yet, sometimes we are not. The burden of responsibility, with men elected to office anyway, ultimately lies with us, the public at large. Until we are more involved and more discerning for whom we cast a vote, stories such as these will persist.

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Permalink Reply by James! on June 25, 2009 at 2:53pm

"You can never put too much water in a nuclear reactor" What does that even mean?

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Permalink Reply by Andy on June 25, 2009 at 7:12pm

To cool it/prevent a meltdown, I think.

Or maybe I'm missing the point?

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Permalink Reply by James! on June 25, 2009 at 2:56pm

People shouldn't cheat.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph L. Rogers on June 25, 2009 at 10:22pm

What I'm annoyed with is the Machiavellian atmosphere that exists in politics today. Damned lifetime politicians, career beauracrats, he said, she said, pointing fingers, holier than thou, KISS MY ASS the LOT of you!

Biological reasons for men to have a wandering eye. Hard-wired in the DNA is a crapload of psychology that I won't delve into right now, but understand this:
- I would rather a man in power be receiving blowjobs than bribes from corporate entities
- I would rather a man in power be relaxed, and easy to get along with, as opposed to having a hair trigger, and starting wars with sovereign nations over imagined slights
- I would rather a man in power do what Sanford did, and quit all the calculating bullshit. Come out, say you're sorry, and MAN UP about it. He didn't make her come out with him. He didn't come out with a prepared statement, he just answered questions. Well done.

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Permalink Reply by Todd Serveto on June 26, 2009 at 2:34am

Men of integrity who have virtue and moral fortitude have just as many hormones as philandering playboys who never learned to keep their pants up. The difference between being a man of character and some overgrown teenaged "buck in rut" boils down to one thing--principled choices. It's all a question of values and priorities. Somewhere, at some point in time, we as men need to disabuse ourselves of this notion that just because something is supposed to be NATURAL, then that also makes it EXCUSABLE. That which is deplorable and morally reprehensible may, indeed, be physiologically "normal", but does that make it right or acceptable? When did it become AB-normal to suppress our baser nature in the name of honoring commitments, keeping vows, and appealing to higher principles? People are what they are. We're not one person at work and another in private--we're who we are in whatever circumstances we are in. If a man won't honor and keep his marriage vows, then what assurance can we have that he'd keep his oath of office? I'm glad that, as a society, we still expect better and higher things from our elected officials.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph L. Rogers on June 26, 2009 at 3:56am

You COMPLETELY missed my point, Todd. Completely.

"Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone."

Is your house glass, Todd? I know mine has some breakable areas in it, so I choose not to throw stones at other people for their mistakes. So many good lives and careers I see ruined, so much good that these people could have done...and one moment of weakness used by political enemies (from all sides) to completely tear down what they've built. Is it any wonder that America is tearing itself apart at such a frenetic pace?

I submit that the so called "Christian Conservative" movement is not Christ-like in any way, shape or form. If it was, they would practice the forgiveness, and turn the other cheek, as Christ taught...rather than the fire and brimstone, and clawing out the opponent's eyes that is par for the course these days. You wanna get into a big philosophical discussion with me? Bring it on, big dog...but understand that these are concepts that I think about, wrestle with, and chew on, on a daily basis. I cannot STAND the divisive attitude I find in most Americans today, and it's over crap like this.

Again, I say unto you..."Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone."

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Permalink Reply by Todd Serveto on June 26, 2009 at 10:16am

Completely missed what point, Joseph? I was responding to the entire thread, not just your post. As to "he who is without sin among you" and glasshouses...all that...I think this must be where I'm not making MY point clear. I could be the biggest leacherer on two feet, but people didn't elect me to public office or to a public leadership position. I didn't take an oah of office, and I'm not influencing the moral climate that future generations are being raised in as an elected official is. Don't get me wrong, I DO honor my marriage vows, and I DON'T live in a glass house relevant to this issue. But we expect our elected officials to up-hold certain standards of ingrity and morality--that's not "casing the first stone", it's responsible citizenship in choosing our leaders.

Furthermore, we're not talking about "one moment of weakness" here, we're talking about moral turpitude. That's not a little mistake or some minor weakness that you ignore in the name of saving a career. Upholding a standard of decency and integrity is not un-Christ-like. Jesus denounced corrupt leaders in his day as well.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph L. Rogers on June 27, 2009 at 3:31pm

It's Machavellian crap is what it is. Bill Clinton was impeached for a blowjob...and G.W. Bush was lauded as a hero for invading a sovereign nation with no legal high ground. The stigma of sex in politics is ridiculous.

G.W. Bush and company are guilty of crimes FAR in excess, both morally and according to U.S. law (US, not UN...I am not one of those who wants to submit to the UN), yet no-one has crucified him.

So again, I say this is effin' ridiculous. Don't talk to me about moral standards when the kind of shit that occurred during the Bush admin occurred and right-wingers/Repubs thought it was great. Shall I bring up the moral turpitude that comes with the torturing of individuals, whether they be "legal combatants" or not?

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Permalink Reply by Chris Franklin on June 26, 2009 at 4:10am

I think the challenge is out there for us as men. It is our responsibility to repair the tarnished image of men. We can actually make a difference in the lives of those around us if we are willing to stand up for what is right and become the men God designed us to be.

Rom 8:37 "But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Yes, we are biologically designed with certain urges and needs. And yes, it is perfectly natural for us to be tempted. It is definitely not easy, but the reward and fulfillment in staying faithful and honoring your commitments and virtues is priceless.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph L. Rogers on June 26, 2009 at 6:18am

Agreed, and I can stomach the way you put it. There was an above post, however, that was rather derisivie, and seemed to come from someone sitting on a high horse.

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